Castleford Regeneration The Big Town Plan: Parks and Spaces

Comments

1. Firstly I would like to say how I have enjoyed watching the series. Cas is my home town (born, bred and educated) but I moved away from it a long time ago but my family and fiends still live there and I visit them whenever we can. Over the recent school holidays I drove my children mad by driving them around all the places shown on series. My eldest felt sad when we visited New Frystone she thought it looked out of place and I must agree with her. It does look a lot better then it used to but the design would look better in the centre of major city. She was pleased to see that the other parks had lots of people in them. The bridge was brilliant. The town centre was good to see people buying from the market stalls and the spinning chairs where good but the area was nothing special. The bit between the bridge and town centre was a let down, the pavements are cracked and difficult to walk on if you have a pram or wheelchair this should have been looked at. Other people have mentioned that everyone they spoke to where friendly and with a sense of community, well thats what you would expect from anyone from Cas. We are very nice people.

   Posted by Mrs W on 10/09/2008 16:08:29

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2. This project highlights the importance of local people taking control of their own destiny, young and old. All it takes is that seed, in this case C4 and Kevin, but it can just as easily be a local activist or councillor, or a community group, someone or some group with vision and the guts not to take no for an answer. Never listen to those who say dreams can't come true: just get on and make them come true.

   Posted by Mike Taylor on 03/09/2008 09:10:36

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3. Where can I see all the programs again as I keep missing them???????

   Posted by Cassy Vaggus on 01/09/2008 21:16:03

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4. Today I took my mother back to her home town of Castleford where she was born, it must be nearly 40 years since we were last there when visiting my grand parents so I was keen to see the places I remembered. It was more special because of the Channel 4 project and I wanted to see the developments. I have to say the New Fryston design was fantastic and exceeded my expectations. It was well kept and was alive with children using the facility. The terrace houses complemented the design and it was good to see the residents sitting out and watching the world come to them! A few were still dubious about the massive changes that have taken place and that's understandable. Give it a year or so and they'll mellow up! It's the perfect setting for an outdoor street party next summer so over to you Channel4, get something going, talk to the residents and get a brass band etc. I'll definitely go! The bridge - wow! fully used as a functional item but many people just sitting on the bridge and it was a calming experience, even with the weir gushing it seemed so quiet and tranquil. Both these projects were under total control of the architects and it showed. Take the town centre that was "designed" by the council and the result was a - well nothing, just a typical block paved town centre although the swivel chairs were good. Sometimes you have to let the experts do what they do best and councilors don't do design. Channel 4 portrayed Castleford as a run down sad old place, shame on you. In reality I found the people to be just as friendly and the town to be just as exciting as I last remembered. Was it architecture and design that contributed to this? Perhaps yes. Everyone was talking about it. I'm glad I went back and so was mother. Big thanks to the people of Cas.

   Posted by Roger on 27/08/2008 21:10:57

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5. I wonder if David Powell would think the cost far out weighs the benefits if the money had been spent somewhere else. Castleford needs a great deal more money spent on it than has been spent in these projects. We have barely scratch the surface of what needs doing and it all needs to be 'excellent' quality and design. We have put up with being a low priority for far too long. It is money well spent and we'll be working hard for more to be done in the future, we're developing a taste for the good life and who are you to deny us better? Our people helped to earn the wealth of this nation with the hard work that was done in the factories and mines. It is not before time that something should be put back in to this community. Long live English Partnerships, at least they have tried to give us better in the former mining communities, not silly suggestions like all of us re-locating to the south. Castleford only needed a little encouragement and local people, as always, showed what they can achieve. I suggest the moaners have a go themselves before they start criticising others.

   Posted by Ned on 22/08/2008 22:43:55

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6. The response to the project has been amazing with thousands of visitors so far already. People from all over the UK calling into the town as they travel by for holidays and even people making a special visit from places like Edinburgh, Lichfield, London, Norfolk, Stratford-on-Avon etc. I've had friends visit from Devon, Cork (Ireland), Lancashire, the Midlands etc. All were delighted and said 'The bridge is a work of art' that 'It is just right for experiencing the Castleford river Aire views' and 'Why shouldn't Cas have something so beautiful?' 'It was worth every penny spent'. Local children and families have said they are thrilled and use it all the time. Art groups have used it and lots of families have had picnics there, also the fishing is as good as anywhere in the country! We're loving it!! The moaners are few and far between as the experience of being on Renato's Bridge converts everyone, if they have a soul. It really is worth a visit, few bridges are this good. Well done Renato and the craftsmen who built it, Cas will always be grateful.

   Posted by Ali on 22/08/2008 16:40:33

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7. The cost far outweighs the benefits. I bet the Council and English Partnerships never reveal the level of fees paid in relation each project.

   Posted by David Powell on 20/08/2008 21:04:57

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8. We've had some queries about the stone sculpture in the park in New Fryston. The sculpture was created by acclaimed US designer Martha Schwartz, as part of the green's redevelopment.

   Posted by Lucy 4Homes Ed on 20/08/2008 14:13:02

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9. Please would Channel 4 consider making a programme on English Partnerships: its raison d'etre, its members, its budget, its relationship to developers. Their project in Castleford is ugly, out of keeping with the area, unbelievably costly and designed by an American. Jen 20.8.08

   Posted by Jen on 20/08/2008 11:15:56

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10. Fantastic, fantastic comments everyone- adding to the fantastic debate about regeneration and community that's already up and running. Keep 'em coming

    Posted by Lucy 4Homes Ed on 20/08/2008 10:00:20

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11. I live in Leeds, not far from Castleford, and I went to have a look at a couple of the open space schemes the other evening. What I found heartening was that all of them were being used by local children, all of whom were friendly to us and especially to my stepdaughter, who was testing the play equipment! The village green by Martha Schwartz at New Fryston is totally out of scale to the houses around it and, as Kevin McCloud said, appears to turn its back on them, and face the reclaimed pit site, no doubt where in the future there will be new development. The real shame is that a couple of hundred thousand pounds from the one million pound budget could not have been used to build the residents a community centre; there is plenty of spare ground around the village where one could have been built. At least that way the residents would have got something specifically for them, rather than a scheme clearly aimed at attracting inward investment, which in my view could spoil a rather unique village, which is pleasantly located by the river with lots of green space around it. As it is, the scheme looks out of place and, I have to say, it is very hard to see how it has cost a million pounds. Google Earth it (WF10 2QL), you'll see what I mean (and its only half-finished at the time of the photo). It was heartening to see that The Green at Ferry Fryston is still being cared for by the community – it is surrounded by rusty railings which the residents (I presume) have started to paint, which will give a far better first impression. Lastly, the new bridge over the river at Castleford is truly superb, a fantastic piece of architecture that gives the visitor a quite unique view of the river and the swirling water over the weir. Furthermore, it is well-used by locals and visitors alike, and has not been vandalised in any way whatsoever - hopefully proof that first class architecture and design can make a difference to peoples lives and will be adopted by the residents and cared for. I would also like to say a big thank you to all the residents and young people we met, all of whom said hello and were friendly and chatty. It appears that Castleford really does still have a sense of community, whereas most places now do not. I hope that these projects are the start of great things to come.

    Posted by Steve Bailey on 20/08/2008 08:47:28

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12. Great programme. However, it just shows how some people including American designers and representatives of our own authorities, haven't a clue about the cultural diversity of this country. Yorkshire people are a proud people and don't ask for much. For a group of experts to ignore them and build one of the worst examples of open spaces I have ever seen, totally out of keeping with it's environment and not fit for purpose, was a major crime. What a waste of money!!! I'm a designer from the north of England and it sickened me to watch a bunch of fools who have no understanding of the local culture impose something, so badly executed, on a whole community. If I was a resident I would sue the planners through the European Courts of Human Rights for mismanagement of public money and the vandalizing of a village, and then plough the whole thing back into the ground.

    Posted by Craig on 19/08/2008 14:59:29

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13. I too was appalled at the attitude of Martha Schwartz. In fact I thought her design was the most inappropriate bit of development I'd ever seen. It really didn't fit with the surrounding landscape, it was ugly, sparse and cold. Kevin McCloud is correct it may look cool and contempory in a city but I can't see how it will ever fit the landscape it was built in. I can't see a lot of open air concerts being held there mainly due to the climate. I really feel for the the local people who's front gardens were enclosed with the same unfitting light yellow stone that didn't match the existing brick of their homes, there was nothing in this development for them. Martha Schwazt claimed this was a development for the future, for 50 years time. That community has been there for over a hundred years, it's not likely to become a bustling, cosmopolitan city in the next 50.

    Posted by Natalie on 19/08/2008 12:32:29

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14. Great show last night but can anyone tell me what the point was of trying to build something designed for the city in a small former mining vilage? Surely the locals showed that its vital to consult and embed the ownership in a project like this. The big impact of an international designer became a whimpered out excuse for blowing a cool £1 million on weeds and confusuion. Granted the asperations need lifting but, not at the expense of what community means. The project will look good on the designers CV though... Community 1 Designers 0 Cutsyke community group should be aplauded for the way in which they fought for the children, they knew what they wanted and they got it. No fancy stuff, just keep children occupied. Great and its still working!! Community 2 Designers 0 The final park over on the east side of town was a good example of how good design and active comminuty work in unison. I marveled at the designer who said he didn't mind it being trashed because it showed it was being used. His interest was to create something warm and fuzzy, just what the people needed. Even though a minority of locals had pulled up the planting, the community drafted some young men to replant. I wouldn't suggest it was those particular youths, but the ones responsible are less likely to trash if their mates have helped. Vested intrests will sustain the project over a much longer period. Community 3 Designers 1 I feel last night show demonstrated that design can play a part in regeneration, not dictate its outcome. We throw about the word community and then favour big impact and short term wows, becoming intollerant and ignorant to the fruits of its labour; descussion and decision based on those who get involved and actually know what is important locally. I work in this field of regeneration and know all to well that the community is the most important aspect to get right. Once the contractors and officials leave, its just the project and them; if they didn't want it in the first place then it will simply go to rack and ruin.

    Posted by John on 19/08/2008 10:54:31

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15. What an interesting programme. It was great to see successful community consultation at Cutsyke and Ferry Fryston. However, I am outraged at English Partnerships ignorance in staging "token" meetings with the local community which were clearly a waste of time - resulting in further alienation of people who live in an area which has seen rapid decline over a number of years due to government decisions made "out of their hands." I do support the statement that Martha Schwartz's design is of high quality and part of a "bigger picture," but why did English Partnership have to deny the community of their basic needs and the same time? I'm sure part of their £1m budget could have been stretched to provide a community centre.

    Posted by Kathryn on 19/08/2008 09:22:44

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16. The problem here is that council does not put enough effort into these projects, the next main problem is that the locals are so entrenched in there antiquated ideas that they cannot see what is best for the whole local community and their futures. I moved into Castleford about 5 years ago and have noticed that the people that have lived here their whole lives live in a world that is about 20 years behind the rest of the UK. The children have no respect for property or others. I was brought the old fashion way, I was taught to respect my elders and my surroundings and did not find myself feeling the need to destroy my community. It is endemic to blame everyone else for the problems that we have, when in fact the issue here is that the PARENTS are to blame. it is easier to say it is someone elses fault then to look at why something happened and learn from what happened and try ensure that it doesn't happen again. The vandalism is purely down to parents failing their children. The adults of the current generation feel that they have the right to blame everyone else but themselves, well here's an eye opener, your children that vandalise these new parks have learnt that it is ok to do so from you, not anyone else. They see you blaming everyone else for their own failings and see that it is ok to vandalise, scream and shout at others because you do. It is time that our generation woke up and smelt the coffee and took responsibility of our own and our children's actions on to our shoulders and say enough is enough. Long have we said that our problems are the fault of others, although this may be true to some degree, the main issue here is lack of control of our own children. I have two children and neither of them go out and vandalise property, why because they know the difference between right and wrong and because they have been brought up to respect their elders and others property. The people of New Fryston don't realise just how lucky they are to receive this investment. There are areas all over the UK that would walk over hot coals (no pun intended) to receive this type of investment and to have new affordable houses built to bring in new blood and investment into the area. However, it appears that they are quite happy to wallow in their own self pity and say we don't want to have these new houses or we don't want this park. I'm completely flummoxed as to how to finish this comment, but say that people of Castleford unite under a common cause to improve our lives and start embracing change as without it, we will just spiral downwards to a point of no return. This town can come back from the breach, but it requires everyone to pull together and forget about our individual needs and start looking at the bigger picture, the community. Start teaching our children to respect our surroundings and generally stop being antisocial.

    Posted by Jay Jay on 18/08/2008 23:51:29

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17. As a former Castlefordian, I am very interested in how my old town could be 'saved' through design. Kevin McCloud's enthusiasm for the enriching power of design, engineering, architecture is always very infectious. However, in tonight's program, which Kevin tacitly acknowledged, we saw that design can be a destructive, will-sapping, community-threatening force. The people of New Fryston have had imposed on them as ugly so-called amphitheater, that seemed half Aztec sacrificial altar and half the Monolith from 2001: A Space Odyssey. I was appalled to see the wishes of the community trampled underfoot by the architect and by English Partnerships. I am assuming they are hoping the locals will just hurry up and move on so they can get on with redeveloping the site with another set of new build homes nobody wants or can afford. The one thing the village did want - a community centre - was taken away from them! In the 'white heat' of the post war rebuild of the 50s and 60s, the working class across Britain were graciously given such concrete spaces. By the 90s we were knocking them down and starting to put beauty back into building. It seems the wheel has turned full circle. I only hope I live long enough to see this monstrosity go the same way, as it surely must.

    Posted by Anthony Scott on 18/08/2008 22:57:28

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18. An interesting series that has highlighted the biggest problem of regeneration, getting local people involved in a meaningful way rather than just making them accept whatever the local authority and/or central government wants to have happen. The programme about the three parks has really shown how the local peoples input made all the difference between success and abject, ugly failure. It was interesting to see how the residents of New Fryston ended up being totally ignored whilst the government quango involved, along with the conivance of the local authority, had great plans of their own that they seemigly kept from the residents until it was too late for them to object. The attitude of the designer Martha Schwartz was appalling and just exemplified the "we know best" Big Brother style of government. The funniest shots of the whole film were those of the opening of this folly by a junior government minister surrounded by representatives of the quango and the local authority and no one else. Pathetic, but sadly representative of our current government who seem to think that everything can be bettered by throwing money at it, particularly if it someone else's. To spend a £1,000,000 on this white elephant was a disgraceful waste of public money when compared to the achievements of the other two parks featured for a tenth of the money or less. A fascinating series that does Kevin McCloud great credit, he manages to point out the absurdities of what we are seeing whilst also giving genuine praise where it is deserved and elucidating the overview so that we can all see the ful picture.

    Posted by Kim Purkiss on 18/08/2008 22:49:04

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19. Just a quick post to correct a couple of miss quotes on this page. Firstly the comment regarding Teenagers, this is completely incorrect the contributions made by Children and Teenagers of Ferry Fryston, Airedale and Castleford were fantastic. "The Green" as a project would not have been such a success without their support and the ideas and artwork produced by local young people were outstanding. Regarding vandalism: as with any other community and park in the UK there is always a very, very small minority who spoil it for the rest and these fall in to many different age groups, not just one. Further it cost approx. £330,000 not £35,000 involving 11 funders. Finally on behalf of the Friends of the Green can I thanks all the local young people, schools, the community of Ferry Fryston, Airedale & Castleford, The Designer Parklife, Cas Project Team, local press, funders, Councillors and Council Officers and workers for their efforts and continuing contributions. It was an immense TEAM effort. Thank you All! Bren McNamara Chair Friends of the Green Community Group

    Posted by Brendan McNamara on 18/08/2008 19:56:23

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